BAZAAR HOPPING ON A CHAOTIC SATURDAY AFTERNOON

BAZAAR HOPPING ON A CHAOTIC SATURDAY AFTERNOON

Disclaimer- Apologies for the blurriness of the photographs

Introduction

With the festive time going on, I accompanied my mother to a Bazaar. It was a warm day, very sultry to be precise with no scope of rain that day. To get some festive supplies it was a must to go there. I saw a lot of things which were perhaps normal to me as I have fond memories of going there since I can remember but I thought that I could convey and share many things I have experienced in the form of an article. This post describes a Bazaar in the heart of Pune(erstwhile Poona) from an outsider's perspective.

Roaming for supplies

The Bazaars or Peths as they are commonly known are very cosmopolitan in nature with all communities such as Gujaratis, Marwaris, Sindhis, Maharashtrians, Tamilians etc. Many temples and mosques are located in this area.Some areas sell particular things and are closed at a fixed day. I was roaming around Raviwar Peth which had a lot of textile based businesses. I first visited a saree store to purchase a Saree for gifting. It was a very unique experience as  I had never been to such a store before.Till date an owner-customer relation remains very pleasant with a lot of respect being present.

The store had an enormous variety of Sarees which could never be imagined.

The sarees were neatly arranged as they had to fit them in a small space.The place had a white mattress so that the customers could comfortable sit and try the items.

A customer checks the quality of the cloth.

A new generation girl  takes advice from the store owner for a Saree.

We later went to a store selling pillows and mattresses.The store was small and claustrophobic but had a lot of items on display. We were given an impressive service, something which is uncommon in metropolitan areas.Most of the items come from Mumbai which has its heritage cotton textile industry running since more than one and a half centuries. The streets leading out were filled with uncountable articles.

Diwali is near and these traders have their items put long before the time for festive shopping begins.

Our next stop was a place selling purses and wallets.These places have mushroomed slowly to cater to wholesale demand of customers.It was a haven for perfume lovers and make up enthusiasts.

Items imported from China find their way almost everywhere.

Tired by now as the heat was a catalyst in this process, eateries seemed like mirages in a desert. Many people thronged to refresh themselves.

                                                   The coconut seller seems to be an angel in the hot October heat.

The area is a mix of old and new buildings, which have recently been renovated and refurbished as many generations run the businesses.

                                                                            An old house adores the skyline.

Life seems very slow and mundane here as people sit idle along with people who make time for a quick chat under the sun.The vendors who do not have any customers still pass their time.

                                                                     Men crowd around a food stall.

Although they may seem very crowded and unplanned, there is something about a bazaar which makes it the perfect family destination on weekend as it appeals to children and adults alike.

With the advent of e-commerce these people find it hard to make ends meet along with preserving their culture.  Has modernization done more harm than good? I hope this post conveys the gravity of the situation along with the perspective of several unspoken members of the common strata of the society.

Regards

Famebythisname